Draft attachment



Aug. 31, A1954 E. H. BLATTNER DRAFT ATTACHMENT m w E R. n n n R t. v w t n n mn un mn n A.. n n. ww n. 2. n .I r |I. I l v w t o n a H l I l A 11! Een -l S B s 2 QS. mm .En euml n n. mw am n. .l 0 N o Q H *h ww. .gm

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Patented Aug. 31, 1954 DRAFT ATTACHMENT `lfirn'ilfI-l. Blattner,Rochester,-N. Y., assignor to The A-Symington-Gould Corporation, Depew, N. Y., a `corporation of Maryland Application March`22, 1949, Serial "No. 82,731

(CI. Z13-57) 9IClaims. 1

This invention relates to an improvement in draft attachments for railway cars and more particularly to a combined center filler and backstop and its association with `draft or center sills.

An object of the invention is the provision, `in a `draft arrangement or attachment, of a skeletonized combined bolster center filler and rear draft lug unit so assembled with draft or center sills as to eliminate the necessity of rivets.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a draft attachment, of a light weight combined' bolster centerflller and draft lug unit preformed of three parts and assembled as a uni tary structure to be associated with draft or center sills in such a manner that parts of the draft sills and certain welds securing the unit to the draft sills aresubjectedto compressive forces only when a longitudinal force is applied to the unit.

A further object of the invention herein contained is the provision of an interlock between a combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit and a draft sill wherein the resistanceincreases as the applied longitudinal load increases.

The above and numerous other objects will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

`Figure l is a side elevational View containing a portion in fragmental section, of adraftarrangement embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial horizontal sectional view and a partial plan View of the draft arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction e of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the several views of the drawing, wherein like reference charac-ters designate like parts, the numeral I is employed to designate, in a somewhat general manner, a draft arrangement or attachment illustrative of the present invention. The draft attachment contemplates the use of center sills which may be of any design or configuration such as the illustrated center sills 2 `which comprise a top horizontal wall 3 having at its lateral limits, depending webs or verticalside walls l which are spaced a predetermined distance apartto denne a pocket 5 therebetween. The lower edges of the webs are reinforced by the presence of bottom flanges 6 `which are directed outward of the centersill construction is of present com-mon design and 12 usage and further that for the successful carrying out' of` thepresent invention the only limitation in thev center sill construction employed `need be the vertical, transversely spaced webs and the clear lower opening into the pocket. The remaining construction may be changed at will.

'Disposed within the pocket 5 is a unitcommonly termedv a combined bolster center filler and rear draftV lug `casting and generally identified by the reference character l. For convenience and cheapne-ss ofrnanufacture the unit is made up of three separately formed or manufactured or cast pieces; namely two counterpart side parts or pieces and a center part or piece 9. Considering the pieces generally in their inverse order the center piece is formed with a bottom wall Il) ofy apredetermined length and of a width considerably less than the distance between the center sill webs. Upstanding centrally from the bottom 4Wallis4 a hollow `cylindrical post or collar I I intendedprirnarily to accommodate a king pin (not shown). The post is reinforced fore and aft by aligned linee braces I2 which merge with and are formed integrally with the bottom wall and post. Functioning as transverse spacer members are a pair of aligned vertically directed ribs I3 which are cast `integrally with the post and bottom wall tov be directed toward the webs substantially to the same extent as the bottom wall.

Each side piece or part comprises a substantially `vertical `side wall I4 arranged to be positioned adjacent to the center sill; this particular relationship being treated in more detail hereinafter. The front extremity of the side wall, well in` advance ofthe center post, terminates in an inwardly :directed flange or block I5 extending for a predetermined distance inwardly of the center sill to present a rear draft lug against which a portion ofa cushioning mechanism (not shown) may abut to transmit bufiing forces to the center sill. The rear draft lugs may (as illustrated) extend vertically for only a part of the vertical inside height of the center sill; the front outer corner of the draft lug being cut or formed on a bias for the application of a weld It binding the sidewalls at these locations to the sill webs. The sidewalls `extend longitudinally from the rear draft lugsrearwardly beyond the center part or piece such as the tail member Il' to present adequate structure in the unit against shocks it will be subjectedto in service. Extending' throughout the length ofeach side wall is a top flange I8 directed inwardly of the unit and merging at its front end with the rear draft lug block and at its rear end wth the tail member. This top flange 3 may be cored as at I9 and at a plurality of locations for the purpose of not only adding to the lightness of the unit but also for the accommodation of welds 20 the latter of which are subjected to shear forces only and assist in locking the unit to the center sill top wall. Spaced a predetermined distance below the side part top ange is a reinforcing top rib 2l instanding from the side wall and extending horizontally from the rear draft lug block throughout the length of the side wall to the tail member thereof.

Spaced approximately a third of the overall height of the rear draft lug block below the reinforcing top rib is a short rib 22 instanding from the side wall and extending from thev rear draft lug block rearwardly therefrom toward thecenter post, blending with the side wall in advance of the location of the center piece.

Denning the lower limits of the side piece is a bottom reinforcing and structural flange 23 which is also, preferably, directed horizontally from the rear draft lug block to the tail member. This bottom structural flange is directed inwardly of the center sill in substantial alignment with the center sill bottom ange to an extent such that it terminates close to or in the proximity of the center piece bottom wall. The opposing edges of the center piece bottom wall and side piece bottom ange are chamfered to present a Valley for the reception of weld 24 thus uniting the three piece casting together at these locations. Each side piece is also provided with a vertical rib 25 which is in transverse alignment with and extended to substantially meet the ribs I3 of the center piece. Similarly, these ribs are formed at their free extremities in such a manner as to accommodate suitable welds 26 to thus complete the union of the three piece casting. It will be noted that by making the unit first in three distinct and individual pieces, that procedure will result not only in a substantial reduction in the cost of manufacture as opposed to casting the unit as an integral part but further the three parts or pieces may, during assembly, be placed in a jig to assure the assembled casting being of a predetermined size and disposition.

Each side piece wall has a part`thereof outwardly exposed as a plane surface 2l to bear against a contiguous surface 28 of the center sill webs and thus render the unit as a complete center ller arranged to fit neatly between the center sill webs. These side walls are further provided with lightening holes 29 systematically arranged to decrease the ultimate weight of the unit while not compromising the required strength thereof. rThese lightening holes are not intended or present in the unit for the accommodation of fastening or holding means such as rivets or welds, because such holding means would be subjected to shear forces, and it is now the common belief that when once llet weldsas would be present in the lightening holes as taught by numerous patents of the prior art-are moved or shifted when subject to shear forces, the entire holding value of the welds is lost. It is, therefore, contemplated by this application to arrange the unit and center sill in such a manner as to transmit any forces to which the unit is subjected in service to the center sill direct. The preferred manner of fullling the above noted requirement is exemplied in the drawing. Toward this end, therefore, the side wall of each side piece is provided with a plurality of vertically directed recesses 3i) opening or exposed outwardly of the unit so as to face the related center sill surfaces 28. These recesses or reliefs are preferably arranged in two groups; one group 30a in advance of the center post and another group 30h in the rear -of the center post. Further, all of the recesses open upwardly of the unit as at 3| and have their lower extremities closed as at 32 but this latter feature is not believed absolutely necessary. The number of recesses employed is not at the present Writing believed important so long as they are arranged in parallel relationship. Each recess is so designed as to form a wedgeshaped depression in the side pieces when considered in horizontal section; particular reference being made to Figure 2 of the drawing. This recess configuration is such that a shoulder 33 is formed in each recess for the entire height thereof. It will be appreciated that configurations other than wedge-shaped may be employed in forming the recesses since it is believed at the present writing, only necessary to have any type of depression in the side walls as long as each recess presents a shoulder.

The webs of the center sill are punched, sheared .or otherwise processed to form a series or multiplicity of elongated openings 3d conveniently arranged, tier fashion, and in substantial alignment with the unit recesses. The openings are formed principally by the removal of a portion of the web and in the general area of each opening a prong, tongue or finger 35 is bent or pressed partially out of the web so that each tongue will extend into or partially occupy a related recess. It will be noted by particular reference to Figure 2 of the drawing that each tongue is still. formed as an integral part of its companion web. Each tongue is of lesser extent than the depth of a recess so that its free extremity 36 will be spaced a predetermined distance from a related shoulder so as to be in substantial alignment therewith. A weld 31 is deposited between the free extremity of each finger and a related shoulder so as to unite the center sill web to the unit. It will be noted therefore that the welds 3'! will be in compression when longitudinal forces are applied to the unit and further that because of this relationship the resistance will increase as the load increases. Not only are the welds 31 placed in compression but the Webs of the center sill will also be placed in compression to insure a stiff solid column for the reception of longitudinal forces.

Since the king pin occupying the center piece post will deliver forces to the unit fore and aft it is believed advisable to turn the recesses 33h and companion tongues in a direction opposed to the recesses 30a and their related tongues although this arrangement may not be necessary. Welds 38 are placed in the openings 3d to additionally bind the unit and center sill together, but the presence or absence of these last named welds is optional. In order to stiffen the tongues, welds 39 are deposited along the tongues within the openings to rmly secure the tongues to the webs along their lines ofl severance from the webs.

Because of ther tongues extending into the clear opening of the sill pocket, the recesses, as heretofore mentioned, open upwardly of the unit and during assembly the unit may be pushed up into the pocket without interference between the tongues and unit. It will be further noted that by reason of the particular position of the welds 31 a slight longitudinal shifting of the unit is possible to spot, exactly, the unit in its proper predetermined position.

From the above it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated, describedconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs and a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, the `combination of, said unit having recesses extending vertically and spaced longitudinally of said unit to open outwardly transversely thereof, portions forming integral parts of said webs and bent inwardly into said recesses, and welds securing said portions in said recesses.

2. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs and a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, the combination of, said unit having recesses extending vertically and opening outwardly transversely thereof, shoulders in said recesses disposed at an angle to said webs, portions integral with said webs and extending into said recesses, and welds securing said portions to said shoulders.

3. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs and a skeletonized cast combined bolster center ller and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, the combination of, said unit having recesses extending vertically and opening outwardly transversely thereof, shoulders in said recesses disposed at an angle to said webs, portions integral with said webs and bent into said recesses, extremities of said portions being spaced from said shoulders, and welds between said extremities and shoulders, certain of said welds being `subjected to compressive forces when a longitudinal force is applied to said unit.

4. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed i of said shoulders, welds securing said tongues to said shoulders; and welds securing said tongues to said webs.

`5. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed -transversely spaced webs and a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, the combination of, said unit at sides thereof having recesses extending vertically for substantially the full height thereof and opening outwardly transversely of said unit, said recesses presenting abutting shoulders, tongues sheared out of said webs and having one end thereof formed integrally with said webs, said tongues being bent inwardly of said sills into said recesses, and welds between said shoulders and tongues.

6. In a railway draft structure of the type having center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced Webs and a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, the combination of, said unit at sides thereof having recesses extending vertically for substantially the full height thereof and opening outwardly transversely of said unit, said recesses presenting abutting shoulders, tongues sheared out of said Webs and having one` end thereof formed integrally with said webs, said tongues being bent inwardly of said sills into said recesses, welds between said shoulders and tongues, and welds securing said sheared tongues to said webs.

7. In a railway draft structure, the combination with center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs, of a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, said unit comprising side parts and a central portion formed separately and welded together, said side parts having spaced along the lengths thereof vertically disposed recesses presenting shoulders arranged at an angle to said webs, tongues sheared out of said webs and being bent inwardly into said recesses, said tongues being spaced vertically and horizontally from one another, and welds securing said tongues to said shoulders. l

8. In a railway draft structure, the combination with center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs, of a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, said unit comprising side parts and a central portion formed separately and welded together, said side parts having spaced along the lengths thereof vertically disposed recesses presenting shoulders arranged at an angle to said Webs, tongues sheared out of said webs and being bent inwardly into said recesses, said tongues being of lesser length than the accompanying sheared portion of said webs, welds securing said tongues: to said shoulders, and welds securing said sheared portion of said webs to said side parts.

9. In a railway draft structure, the combination with center sills arranged with vertically disposed transversely spaced webs, of l a skeletonized cast combined bolster center filler and draft lug unit positioned between said webs, said unit comprising side parts and a central portion formed separately and welded together, said side parts having spaced along the lengths thereof vertically disposed recesses presenting shoulders arranged at an angle to said webs, tongues sheared out of said webs and being bent inwardly into said recesses, said -tongues being of lesser length than the accompanying sheared portion of said webs, welds securing said tongues to said shoulders, welds securing said sheared portion of said webs to said side parts; and welds securing said tongues to said Webs said rst named welds being in compression When a longitudinal force is applied to said unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,731,469 Manseld Oct. l5, 1929 1,812,151 Jacocks June 30, 1931 2,163,259 Moore June 20, 1939 2,178,034 Dorey Oct. 31, 1939 2,244,518 Dietrichson June 3, 1941 2,355,524 Garlock et al. Aug. 8, 1944 

